Job 34:28 kjv
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
Job 34:28 nkjv
So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted.
Job 34:28 niv
They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
Job 34:28 esv
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted ?
Job 34:28 nlt
They cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention.
He hears the cries of the needy.
Job 34 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 2:23-24 | And it came to pass...that the children of Israel sighed...and their cry came up...and God heard their groaning... | God heard Israel's cries of oppression |
| Deut 15:7-11 | If there be among you a poor man...thou shalt open thine hand wide...that the Lord thy God may bless thee... | Command to care for the poor |
| Psa 9:12 | For he that maketh inquisition for blood remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. | God remembers and avenges the humble's cry |
| Psa 10:17 | Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: | God hears the humble's desires |
| Psa 34:15 | The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. | God's ears open to the righteous' cry |
| Psa 41:1 | Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. | Blessings for caring for the poor |
| Psa 72:12-14 | For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper... | King delivers the needy and poor |
| Psa 82:3-4 | Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy... | God's call to judge justly |
| Psa 102:19-20 | For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary...to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; | God looks down to hear prisoners |
| Psa 145:19 | He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. | God hears and saves His fearful |
| Prov 14:31 | He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. | Oppressing poor dishonors God |
| Prov 21:13 | Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. | Rejecting the poor's cry leads to rejection |
| Isa 3:14-15 | ...you have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses...what mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? | Indictment against oppressors of the poor |
| Isa 25:4 | For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm... | God as a strength to the poor |
| Jer 22:15-16 | ...did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? He judged the cause of the poor and needy... | Righteousness linked to justice for poor |
| Lam 3:55-58 | I called upon thy name, O Lord...Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry...Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. | Lamenter's cry is heard and causes pleaded |
| Amos 2:6-7 | ...because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes...and turn aside the way of the meek... | Condemnation of exploiting the poor |
| Mic 3:1-3 | ...to know judgment? who hate the good, and love the evil...who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin... | Denunciation of unjust leaders |
| Luke 4:18-19 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor...to set at liberty them that are bruised, | Jesus' mission to the poor and oppressed |
| Jam 2:6 | But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? | Rebuke against despising the poor |
| Jam 5:4 | Behold, the hire of the labourers...which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. | Cry of defrauded laborers heard by God |
Job 34 verses
Job 34 28 Meaning
Job 34:28, spoken by Elihu, asserts that God overthrows wicked rulers and exalts the humble specifically "that they might cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he might hear the cry of the afflicted." This verse emphasizes God's sovereign justice, revealing that His interventions in human governance are precisely to address the desperate pleas of the oppressed. It portrays God as an active hearer and responder to the suffering, particularly when they are victims of exploitation and injustice by those in power.
Job 34 28 Context
Job 34:28 is part of Elihu's third speech, spanning chapters 34 to 35. Elihu enters the discussion as a younger, wiser observer who critiques both Job's perceived self-righteousness and the inadequate arguments of Job's three friends. In this chapter, Elihu passionately defends God's justice, omnipotence, and impartiality. He argues that God is perfectly just and does not do evil, a direct counter to Job's earlier questioning of divine righteousness in the face of his suffering.
Elihu posits that God, being almighty, has no reason to act unjustly; His power necessitates perfect justice. He argues that God observes human actions and brings about consequences. Specifically, Elihu points out in Job 34:24-25 that God removes powerful oppressors (kings, mighty men) in unexpected ways, even without formal inquiry, because He sees their wicked deeds. Verse 28 then explains why God takes such drastic action: to ensure that the oppressed, particularly the poor and afflicted, can make their voices heard by Him, and that He, in turn, can respond to their pleas. The historical context reflects a world where rulers often held absolute power, and the poor were extremely vulnerable. Elihu's declaration reassures the audience that, despite appearances, a divine sovereign upholds justice and listens to the downtrodden, challenging the idea that the powerful are beyond God's reach or that suffering indicates God's indifference.
Job 34 28 Word analysis
- that they might cause: Indicates the divine purpose or intended outcome of God's prior actions, specifically His dethroning of wicked rulers as mentioned in Job 34:24-25. It links God's active governance directly to His care for the vulnerable.
- the cry: Hebrew: צְעָקָה (tse'aqah). More than just a sound, this word denotes a loud, desperate cry for help, an appeal born of great distress, affliction, or injustice. It is often used in the context of oppression and reflects a plea to a higher authority for intervention. It signifies not just audible anguish but an appeal to God for judgment or deliverance.
- of the poor: Hebrew: דָּל (dal). Refers to the weak, feeble, or economically impoverished. In biblical understanding, the "poor" often include the vulnerable, helpless, and socially marginalized, who lack power and influence, making them susceptible to exploitation. This term encompasses material poverty but also social vulnerability.
- to come unto him: Signifies a direct petition or access to God Himself. It implies that their cry is not lost but ascends to the very throne of divine authority, where it will be heard and acted upon.
- and he might hear: Hebrew: שָׁמַע (shama'). This word means not just to perceive sound but profoundly to listen, to understand, and implicitly, to respond or act. God's "hearing" is not passive but an attentive, active recognition leading to intervention and judgment.
- the cry of the afflicted: Hebrew: עֲנִיִּים (aniyim) often paired with "dal," emphasizing those who are bowed down, oppressed, or suffering from physical hardship, emotional distress, or social injustice. This reiterates and deepens the previous point about the "cry of the poor," highlighting the suffering aspect of their plight.
- "the cry of the poor...and the cry of the afflicted": These phrases underscore the specific objects of God's compassionate justice. The repetition emphasizes God's consistent attentiveness to the suffering, particularly those facing socioeconomic disadvantage and general oppression. It reveals God's nature as one who champions the cause of the helpless against their oppressors.
- "cause the cry...to come unto him, and he might hear": This phrase group details the divinely orchestrated mechanism of justice. God ensures that the cries of the suffering reach Him (perhaps by removing obstacles like tyrannical rulers), and He then responds, confirming His active role in the affairs of humanity and His ultimate concern for righteousness and the well-being of the oppressed.
Job 34 28 Bonus section
Elihu's perspective in this verse serves as an important bridge within the book of Job, moving beyond the simple "retribution theology" of Job's friends. While still holding that God is just and does not do evil, Elihu offers a more nuanced view of how God's justice is expressed in the world, particularly in dealing with oppressive power structures. God is portrayed as acting judicially against those who silence or exploit the poor, precisely so the cry of the innocent may be presented directly to Him. This highlights a fundamental principle in scripture: God often reveals His character through His preferential concern for the marginalized and oppressed. It also shows that the "hearing" of God is not merely passive reception but a precursor to righteous action.
Job 34 28 Commentary
Job 34:28 powerfully articulates Elihu's understanding of God's active role in maintaining justice on earth. He contends that God's overthrow of wicked rulers, as stated in the preceding verses, is not arbitrary but purposeful: to create an environment where the desperate pleas of the oppressed can ascend to Him without impediment. God then actively "hears" these cries, which implies a responsive and interventionist hearing that leads to judgment against the oppressor and relief for the suffering. This verse reaffirms God's profound attentiveness to human suffering and injustice, particularly when the vulnerable are exploited by the powerful. It paints a picture of a God who is intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, defending the weak and holding rulers accountable. This principle means that no cries of the poor or afflicted go unheard by the divine judge. For instance, in societies marked by widespread economic disparity or corrupt governance, the very suffering and voicelessness of the marginalized are understood as a plea to the Almighty, prompting divine scrutiny and potential intervention.